maintain

verb

main·​tain mān-ˈtān 

mən-

maintained; maintaining; maintains

transitive verb

1

: to keep in an existing state (as of repair, efficiency, or validity) : preserve from failure or decline

maintain machinery

2

: to sustain against opposition or danger : uphold and defend

maintain a position

3

: to continue or persevere in : carry on, keep up

couldn't maintain his composure

4

a

: to support or provide for

has a family to maintain

b

: sustain

enough food to maintain life

5

: to affirm in or as if in argument : assert

maintained that the earth is flat

maintainability

mān-ˌtā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

maintainable

mān-ˈtā-nə-bəl 

adjective

maintainer noun

Synonyms of maintain

• preserve
• conserve

Choose the Right Synonym for maintain

maintain, assert, defend, vindicate, justify mean to uphold as true, right, just, or reasonable.

maintain stresses firmness of conviction.

steadfastly maintained his innocence

assert suggests determination to make others accept one's claim.

asserted her rights

defend implies maintaining in the face of attack or criticism.

defended his voting record

vindicate implies successfully defending.

his success vindicated our faith in him

justify implies showing to be true, just, or valid by appeal to a standard or to precedent.

the action was used to justify military intervention

Examples of maintain in a Sentence

They have always maintained high standards of professional conduct.

He has found it difficult to maintain a healthy weight.

The company has done a poor job of maintaining its computer network.

It was obvious that the house had been poorly maintained.

She was finding it hard to maintain her balance.

She still maintains a close relationship with her college roommate.

It's difficult to maintain a correspondence when we're both so busy.

The pilot was struggling to maintain control of the aircraft.

The police say that they will do whatever is necessary to maintain law and order.

Recent Examples on the Web

Singapore is known for its strict no nonsense laws, designed to maintain public order and cleanliness, which include a ban on chewing gum sales. —Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 18 Nov. 2025

Saudi Arabia notably boasts the world's largest economy and maintains its lead as the world's top oil producer. —Mariam Khan, ABC News, 18 Nov. 2025

Goodwill Industries of Kentucky Goodwill Industries of Kentucky help those with disabilities or other disadvantages achieve and maintain employment to gain a better quality of life. —Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Nov. 2025

In part stemming from efforts to prioritize ethnic homogeneity during Japan’s rebuilding efforts after the end of World War II, the country’s leaders have generally maintained a no-immigration stance. —Gracia Liu-Farrer, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mainteinen, from Anglo-French maintenir, maynteiner, from Medieval Latin manutenēre, from Latin manu tenēre to hold in the hand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing maintain

• maintain life
• maintain one's cool/composure
• maintain the status quo

Rhymes for maintain

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

Kids Definition

maintain

verb

main·​tain mān-ˈtān 

mən-

1

: to keep in an existing state

especially : to keep in good condition

maintain one's health

maintain machinery

2

: to defend by argument

maintain a position

3

: to continue in : carry on, keep up

maintain your balance

maintain a correspondence

4

: to provide for : support

maintain my family by working

5

: to insist to be true

maintained that all men are equal

maintainable

-ˈtā-nə-bəl 

adjective

maintainer noun